Do I need a hand washing table?

[b_light]

Or can we do hand washing in the sink?

[Golden]

In my son's Montessori classroom, they have a stand with all it's prettiness- nailbrush, pitcher of water, shallow ceramic bowl, small towel, soap, etc. But that's not where 30 kids wash their hands. I think it's just for lessons and using of the hand washing material during work time. You know, get a lesson in how to effectively clean hands from beginning to end, so that they can then transfer that skill to the bathroom when it's time for the real thing.

I think of it kind of like all the pouring they do - little ceramic pitchers into beautiful dainty cups. They don't actually drink this water. But when it's time to sit at the table for snack or lunch, when those small glass pitchers come around, they have the confidence to try the real thing.

I think in the home, setting up all the supplies on a low table for awhile would be sufficient. keep in mind most sinks are large, faucet handles far away or hard(er) to turn off and on, etc. practicing with child-size components would be confidence building.

[Flor]

Originally Posted by Golden

In my son's Montessori classroom, they have a stand with all it's prettiness- nailbrush, pitcher of water, shallow ceramic bowl, small towel, soap, etc. But that's not where 30 kids wash their hands. I think it's just for lessons and using of the hand washing material during work time. You know, get a lesson in how to effectively clean hands from beginning to end, so that they can then transfer that skill to the bathroom when it's time for the real thing.

I think of it kind of like all the pouring they do - little ceramic pitchers into beautiful dainty cups. They don't actually drink this water. But when it's time to sit at the table for snack or lunch, when those small glass pitchers come around, they have the confidence to try the real thing.

I think in the home, setting up all the supplies on a low table for awhile would be sufficient. keep in mind most sinks are large, faucet handles far away or hard(er) to turn off and on, etc. practicing with child-size components would be confidence building.

Same at ds's school. He loves the handwashing work, but I don't think he likes plain old handwashing.

[b_light]

Originally Posted by Golden

In my son's Montessori classroom, they have a stand with all it's prettiness- nailbrush, pitcher of water, shallow ceramic bowl, small towel, soap, etc. But that's not where 30 kids wash their hands. I think it's just for lessons and using of the hand washing material during work time. You know, get a lesson in how to effectively clean hands from beginning to end, so that they can then transfer that skill to the bathroom when it's time for the real thing.

I think of it kind of like all the pouring they do - little ceramic pitchers into beautiful dainty cups. They don't actually drink this water. But when it's time to sit at the table for snack or lunch, when those small glass pitchers come around, they have the confidence to try the real thing.

I think in the home, setting up all the supplies on a low table for awhile would be sufficient. keep in mind most sinks are large, faucet handles far away or hard(er) to turn off and on, etc. practicing with child-size components would be confidence building.

Thanks! That was very helpful!

[MattBronsil]

Originally Posted by Flor

Same at ds's school. He loves the handwashing work, but I don't think he likes plain old handwashing.

I loved it as a kid, too.

[Lillianna]

Originally Posted by b_light

Or can we do hand washing in the sink?

I used a hand washing table at home when my daughter was about 1 yr through 2 1/2 so that she could stand and wash her hands and develop the attention to soaping. To this day, I never have to remind her to wash her hands after using the potty. Once she started to feel more confortable using the adult sink, she used the hand washing table less and less. Now we put hair accessories, manicure/pedicure, towels and cleaning set there.

When setting up the home in Montessori fashion, the thought is to aid independence so that the child is standing on his own two feet, performing these actions on his own initiative.

[ShellieC]

I'd love to hear what everyone uses for handwashing stations. I have a 15 month old who would love to have one. Also, how do you contain the mess with splashing?

[Lillianna]

I bought a small two shelf wooden unit from target. I put the basin, pitcher, soap and soap dish, nail brush and sponge on top and towels and bucket on the bottom shelf.
We put a small decorative mirror on the wall above it.
Control the water splashing with a small pitcher and towels to wipe up.
Children are especially attentive to wiping small water droplets with a sponge at young ages.